Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Aquadive Bathyscaphe 100 GMT Poseidon Edition
Meet a new co-branded Bathyscaphe 100 GMT Dive Watch paying tribute to major 1960s/1970s gear manufacturer Poseidon.
Aquadive is, together with sister brand Doxa, one of those brands that may not necessarily be familiar to a large audience but which is, however, highly respected by hardcore enthusiasts. Technical, instrument-like watches inspired by the 1970s, the Bathyscaphe 100 GMT brought retro styling with modern engineering for divers. Today, the brand is presenting a new co-branded version, together with major 1960s/1970s gear manufacturer Poseidon (a perfectly relevant match). Meet the new Aquadive Bathyscaphe 100 GMT Poseidon Edition.
Aquadive
Although popular for its innovative, affordable dive watches in the 1960s and 1970s, Aquadive disappeared when the quartz crisis decimated many brands in the 1980s. The brand resurfaced in 2011 under the Synchron Group, which also owns Doxa, another storied and revived diver brand that also happens to distribute Jenny dive watches.
In a similar approach to what the Group is doing with Doxa, the idea behind Aquadive is to bring a taste of the past with vintage-inspired pieces but with modern quality standards, tool-watch functionality and relatively fair prices. Aquadive, just like Doxa, isn’t intended for a wide audience but caters to true enthusiasts who will recognize the beauty of the name printed on the dial.
“Founded in 1962 during the pioneering days of recreational scuba diving, Aquadive Watches were renowned as dependable tools born out of necessity for divers who required the means of timing duration underwater.” Today, the brand offers no-nonsense, robust dive watches with a small portfolio of Aquadive pieces that include 1,000 and 3,000-metre Bathyscaphe and Bathysphere. Each Aquadive watch begins its life as a solid block of surgical grade German steel that is designed, engineered, CNC-machined and hand-finished, before being equipped with Swiss-made automatic movements.
About Poseidon
Poseidon is a well-known brand among recreational and professional divers. It was a major diving gear manufacturer of the 1960s/1970s. Founded in 1958 by Ingvar Elvström, Poseidon was created to solve a range of diving-related problems. Poseidon has carefully maintained Elvström’s stellar reputation within the diving community and his legacy of innovation with breakthroughs like the MKVI: Poseidon’s first Fully Automatic Rebreather. Poseidon has long maintained a sterling reputation in the dive community for producing gear suited for the rigours of cold-water diving.
the new Aquadive Bathyscaphe 100 GMT Poseidon Edition
The new Poseidon version of the Aquadive Bathyscaphe 100 GMT is mainly a dial evolution. The watch sticks to the basics of the model, with a 43mm stainless steel case, with a typical 1970s helmet shape. The case is CNC machined, polished and brushed in Germany from German 316L stainless steel and, as we’ve seen from our previous experiences with this watch, is solidly crafted, rather heavy and built like a block (don’t be scared to bring this watch out of its comfort zone). The case is water-resistant to 1,000 metres, with an oversized screw-down crown and solid steel caseback.
On top of the case is a highly raised rotating bezel (120 clicks), with a deeply notched profile and a black ceramic insert and fully luminous 60-minute scale. The watch is worn on a vintage-inspired ISOfrane rubber strap (black or yellow) with a large steel pin buckle. The strap is as robust as the case, yet supple and comfortable. No need to mention that this Aquadive Bathyscaphe 100 GMT Poseidon Edition is a large, instrument-like piece that won’t fly under the radar.
The main novelty on this edition is the addition of a “Poseidon” patch on the dial, which matches the existing black and yellow colour scheme of this model. Large painted markers and bold hands ensure great legibility. In addition to the display of the hours, minutes and seconds, this Aquadive Bathyscaphe 100 GMT features a dual-time indication with a yellow arrow hand and a yellow 24-hour inner flange.
Powering this model is the ubiquitous Swiss-made ETA 2893-2, an automatic movement with a 40-hour power reserve. Aquadive went for a Top Grade movement, which is adjusted in 5 positions with an individual certificate of accuracy included with each watch (average accuracy rate of +/- 4 seconds per day). It’s not a chronometer, but that extra level of detail from Aquadive is a nice touch.
Price and availability
The Aquadive Bathyscaphe 100 GMT Poseidon Edition will be limited to 300 pieces. The watch is now offered with a pre-order campaign at a price of USD 1,395 (25% discount). Those who pre-order the watch will receive an exclusive Poseidon mission patch, and two ISOfrane rubber straps in classic black, and Poseidon yellow. Retail price will later be USD 1,890. Deliveries are expected in November 2019. Details and pre-order at aquadive.com.
